Ten Hyphenated Names in the Bible Quiz

Answer: Genesis

Genesis is the correct answer. According to Genesis 4:22 in the NKJV, Tubal-Cain was the son of Lamech and Zillah and he was "an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron." The same verse states Tubal-Cain had a sister, Naamah. There is no further mention of Tubal-Cain in Scripture.

For the record, his name appears in the KJV without a hyphen.

Answer: Azariah

Abed-Nego was among the Hebrew captives in Babylon and was originally known as Azaziah. However, Daniel 1:7 tells of him being renamed by the the chief of the eunuchs of King Nebuchadnezzar. Also getting new names were three of Azariah's compatriots. Daniel became known as Belteshazzar, Hananiah became known as Shadrach, and Mishael as Meshach.

Scripture goes on to tell of Abed-Nego, Shadrach and Meshach being tossed into a fiery furnace as they refused to bow to worship a statue of the king. Miraculously, the three were not hurt by the flames.

Daniel 3:25 in the NKJV tells of the Babylonians looking into the furnace and seeing the three men "walking in the midst of the fire" and not being affected. They also saw a fourth form in the fire, "like the Son of God."

Answer: Joseph

Joseph was given the name Zaphnath-Paaneah by the Pharaoh, as per Genesis 41:45 in the NKJV and the NIV. (The KJV lists the name without a hyphen.) Jewish tradition holds the name means 'revealer of secrets', but some modern-day theologians see things differently.

After being betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery as a teenager, Joseph ended up being imprisoned on false charges of attempted rape. Despite these major setbacks, Joseph ended up becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt thanks to his ability to interpret dreams.

Answer: Canaan

Judges 1 tells of the Israelites confronting Adoni-Bezek in battle and coming out the winner, thanks to divine intervention. (The NKJV and the NIV both feature the king's name as Adoni-Bezek, but the KJV does not use a hyphen.) Adoni-Bezek ruled in Bezek in Canaan, known as the Promised Land.

Scripture tells of Adoni-Bezek fleeing in battle with the Israelites eventually capturing him. When captured, soldiers cut off the king's thumbs and big toes.

In Judges 1:7, Adoni-Bezek appears to have taken everything in stride. In the NKJV he is quoted as saying: "Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me."

Scripture goes on to tell of Adoni-Bezek being taken to Jerusalem where he died.

Answer: Job

Job was the father of Keren-happuch, whose name is mentioned in Job 42:34. (The NIV has the same spelling for the name but the KJV does not use a hyphen.)

Scripture tells of Job's seven sons and three daughters being killed when a windstorm toppled the house they were in and then he lost his immense wealth. On top of this, Job ended up in extremely poor health. However, never once did he point an accusing finger at God.

In his latter years, Job ended up being immensely blessed with Scripture telling on him regaining his health and having twice as much wealth as before. He also ended up being the father of seven more sons and three daughters, one of whom was named Keren-happuch.

Answer: Tiglath-Pileser

If you're into ancient history, this one would've been easy as Tiglath-Pileser was a major player in military innovation in his day. He was also feared by everyone in Israel. As king of Assyria he was responsible for conquering the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh and taking them into captivity.

1 Chronicles 5:26 in the NKJV states: "So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He carried the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into captivity. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan to this day."

Scripture also tells of Tiglath-Pileser receiving one thousand talents of silver as tribute from the king of Israel (2 Kings 15:19) and later defeating Pekah (2 Kings 15:29).

While the NKJV and the NIV both feature the king's name with a hyphen, the KJV does not use a hyphen.

Answer: harp

1 Chronicles 25 in the NKJV tells of David appointing a long list of men to prophesy "with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals." Among those appointed was Romamti-ezer, one of fourteen sons and three daughters of Heman, as per Verse 4 and 5 in the NKJV.

In the KJKV, Romamti-ezer's name appears without a hyphen. However, in the NIV the name features a hyphen, similar to the NKJV.

Answer: Ezra

Details about Shethar-Boznai contacting Ezra can be found in Chapters 5 and 6 of Ezra. The book provides details about Ezra rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem despite strong opposition from the many enemies of the Israelites.

Shethar-Boznai is mentioned in Ezra 5:3 and 6 as well as Ezra 6:6 and 13. He was a Persian officer of rank in the reign of Darius.

The name Shethar-Boznai appears in both the NKJV and the NIV with a hyphen but in the KJV there is no hyphen.

Answer: True

True. 2 Kings 23:10-12 tells of Nathan-Melech, an officer in the days of King Josiah, being called upon to burn chariots that had been dedicated to the sun during the reigns of previous kings. Josiah made the request of Nathan-Melech to remove all traces of worship of false gods in Israel. The chapter tells of Josiah being on an aggressive campaign to restore "true worship" in Israel.

Nathan-Melech is mentioned by name in only 2 Kings 23:11, using the NKJV. His name also appears in the NIV with a hyphen, but in the KJV without a hyphen.

Answer: Isaiah

Isaiah 8:1-3 in the NKJV and the NIV tells of Isaiah receiving divine instructions to call his new born son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. (The KJV does use hyphens in the name.)

The name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz translates as 'Speed the Spoil, Hasten the Booty' and is in reference to the Assyrian army about to stage an invasion.

For the record, out of the four possible answers, Isaiah is the only one who is regarded as a major prophet. Micah, Nahum and Habakkuk are all regarded as minor prophets.